The funding from the U.S. Department of Energy will be administered by the state Department of Commerce.

The state has already streamlined solar permitting for homeowners and builders by presenting standardized codes and regulations for solar installations, said a Commerce press release. In the last year, four cities — Ellensburg, Seattle, Bellevue and Edmonds — have adopted the new codes.

The DOE award includes funding to support 10 more cities or towns to adopt the solar codes to become “Northwest Solar Communities,” said the release.

For more info, visit nwsolarcommunities.org or eere.energy.gov/solarchallenge.

Reach Mike Irwin at 509-665-1179 or (javascript required to see email). Read his blog Everyday Business or follow him on Twitter at @MikeIrwinWW.